TOP-FLIGHT JACKS: John Mahoney

We continue our focus on players who featured for Swansea City during the club's previous foray into the top flight of English football.
Here, we reflect on the career of the Swans' former Wales international midfielder John Mahoney.

JOHN MAHONEY
Date of birth: September 20, 1946
Appearances/goals for the Swans: 139 apps; 6 goals.
Former clubs: Crewe Alexandra (1966-1967); Stoke City (1967-1977); Middlesbrough (1977-1979); Swansea City (1979-1983).
Memorable moment: Mahoney came on as a substitute to help Stoke City beat Chelsea 2-1 in the 1972 Football League Cup final.
Did you know? Two of Mahoney's daughters have followed in their father's footsteps in representing their country, but in netball rather than football.

When John Mahoney joined the Swans in time for the start of the 1979-1980 season, he was already a seasoned Welsh international.
His career began in the basement division with Crewe Alexandra, but, such was his potential, after only one season in professional football, Stoke City, who at the time were a First Division side, paid £20,000 for his services.
Upon joining Stoke, Mahoney made his full international debut for Wales in a 3-0 defeat to England at Ninian Park in 1967, but his time with the Potters was a happy and successful one for both club and player.
In 1972, Mahoney came off the bench to help Stoke beat strong favourites Chelsea 3-1 in the final of the Football League Cup at Wembley, earning the club qualification for the European Cup Winners Cup for the first time.
After ten seasons at the Victoria Stadium, Mahoney suffered relegation to the Second Division with Stoke at the end of the 1976-77 campaign before moving to Middlesbrough for £90,000.
At the peak of his playing powers, he made 90 appearances for his new club while consolidating his position in the Welsh international side.
But when the chance to come back home to South Wales came in time for the opening of the 1980-81 campaign, Mahoney jumped at the opportunity to join many of his international team-mates at Swansea City.
All at the Vetch Field, players and staff alike, admired the all-action style of play that Mahoney was renowned for throughout his career. And at the end of his first season in Swansea, he was celebrating promotion to the First Division of English football as well as a Welsh Cup winners' medal.
The following season, the Swans' first in the top-flight, Mahoney was yet again influential in helping the club exceed expectations by finishing sixth in the league.
But only a year later, the Swans suffered relegation before Mahoney suffered a career-ending injury on St. David's Day in 1983.
In a fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion, the Cardiff-born midfielder broke his ankle that has left him with a permanent limp.
Upon retiring from playing professional football, Mahoney became a successful manager at Bangor City, whom he guided to the Welsh Cup final and into Europe.
After leaving Bangor, he managed at Newport County for a short spell before returning to the club for a second stint prior to becoming manager at Carmarthen Town.
His involvement with football today is concentrated around the Llanelli area, where he can be found sharing his invaluable experience to many local sides, where it is gratefully received.
He was inducted into the Robbie James Wall of Fame in May 2015 for his outstanding service to the Swans.